Seleniferous soils: Spatial distribution, impact on plant, human and animal health, and its management

摘要

The selenium (Se) concentration in soils is mainly determined by the selenium content of the parent rock, the topography and the climate, but introduction of seleniferous erosion material, poor drainage of soils, irrigation with selenium containing water, usage of phosphate fertilizer, influence of mining operations or volcanic eruptions and combustion of coal and petroleum can considerably enhance the soil selenium content. In agricultural crops, symptoms of selenium toxicity include loss of chlorophyll, whitening of leaves, stunting of plants etc. In wheat crop, whitening of leaves also include pinkish coloration in lower side of leaves. In humans, regular consumption of cereals grown in these soils results in the visible symptoms like cracked anddiscolored nails. Other symptoms include loss of body hairs, bleeding from the nails and gradual loss of health. The fodders grown on these soils may prove fatal for the domestic animals which can lead to mortality.